The Pastoral Epistles & Philemon
Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 10am and 7pm - Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
Email: PastorRod@victoryfellowshipministries.com
FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
Webpage: victoryfellowshipministries.com
Lesson Three: Church Leadership and Government
1) GATHERING and OPENING PRAYER
2) READ / LISTEN to 1st Timothy 3:1-16
A) What are your initial impressions? Questions?
i) Are there notable differences in various translations?
3) THE LEADERSHIP SITUATION IN EPHESUS
A) The people were sexually promiscuous: they were polygamists and adulterers. Some looked down upon marriage or didn’t manage their households well if they were married. Many were drunkards and lacked reserve and dignity. They taught for financial gain. They were bringing reproach upon themselves, the church, and the cause of Christ.
4) THE DESCRIPTION OF AN OVERSEER (3:1-7)
A) Again, we see pistoV o logoV = trustworthy is the saying
i) 1st Timothy 1:15; 3:1; 4:9-10; 2nd Timothy 2:11-13; Titus 3:5-8
B) (vs. 1) episkopoi = episcopoi; presbuteroV = presbuteros
i) Overseers, Bishops, Elders, Pastors
ii) Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:12; 2nd Timothy 2:15; 1st Peter 5:1-4
C) Forms of Church Government (see handout)
D) (vv. 2-7) What are the 14 qualities of an Elder that Paul mentions?
E) (vs. 2) aner mia gunh = aner mia gune; the husband of one wife (one woman man)
5) THE DESCRIPTION OF A DEACON (2:8-13)
A) (vs. 8) diakonoV = diakonos; Deacons. One who serves (Acts 6:1-6).
B) (vv. 8-10, 12-13) What are the 9 ingredients that Paul says are essential to a Deacon?
C) (v. 11) gunh = gune; Can be translated women or wives (Romans 16:1)
i) What 4 qualities does Paul say these women must have?
D) Personal character, again, is the basis for qualification (vv. 8-12)
6) THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH (3:14-16)
A) (vv. 14-15a) Why is Paul writing this letter?
B) (vs. 15b) How God sees the Church
C) (vs. 16) The Mystery of Godliness: How Christ relates to the Church
i) (verse 16 is part of an early hymn)
7) APPLICATION
A) Ask God to help our personal character be in line with our Christian witness, especially if we are leaders in the church. (Matthew 23:25-26; 1 Peter 1:15-16)
B) Remember that Christ is the head of the church, regardless of the type of organizational government we have. (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18)
8) WRAP UP and CLOSE IN PRAYER
NEXT LESSON:
Christian Godliness and Discipline – Read 1st Timothy 4:1-16 to prepare
